Wednesday, December 31, 2014

2015 is officially upon us. It's a perfectly blank canvas full of exciting possibilities and unknown adventures!

I hope we all have a better year in 2015, no matter how amazing (or not) your 2014 was. Because it can always be better, we can always have more goals and dreams.

Part of what makes the publishing industry so exciting is that it's filled with optimists and creative minds. We're either hoping tomorrow will be a day filled with great news, that a brilliant idea will strike, or a long awaited accomplishment will be achieved.

Writers, agents, editors, book sellers, readers, illustrators—we're a bunch of life-lovers. We love to read about, or create, or help share other people's stories and journeys, becoming sometimes as invested in them as if they were our own. If anyone can hope that every year is better than the previous one, it's us!

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Every year I am faced with the same dilemma – what do I buy my writing friends? I usually opt for a gift certificate to Amazon or The Strand (if they’re in NYC), but I know deep down I can do much better than that.

So this year I asked my agency colleagues for a list of gift suggestions and I am thrilled to share it with you.

Senior Agent Sandy Lu has recently discovered the joy of audio books and took the time to list the favorite audio books she’s listened to this year, as well as an old book scented candle (clever gift, indeed!)

1) Book themed jewelry, handmade on Etsy, is a great gift idea for bibliophiles. Whether it's a quote from a classic, book-shaped earrings, or a necklace featuring weathered pages, Etsy has tons of jewelry items for book lovers and writers. Plus, you're supporting an indie artist by purchasing their items!

2) What reader or writer doesn't need an artsy mug for their tea, coffee, or cocoa? The quirky store The Unemployed Philosopher's Guild has a great selection of unique mugs. One features first lines from literary classics, while another is decorated with titles of banned books. They also sell a Shakespearean insult mug if some snark is needed for your holiday season!

3) A book idea for readers who love contemporary or women's fiction novels, especially ones with a charming heroine:

Independently Wealthy by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, St. Martin's 2014 -Chosen as one of "The Best New Books" in People Magazine's Dec 8th print issue -“Soapy, fast-paced fun with a murder thrown in for good measure.” —Kirkus Reviews

I think Strunck and White’s Elements of Style and
the Chicago Manuel of Style always make great gifts for writers, as well as the
parodies (Alice Threw the Looking Glass, The Elements of F*ckingStyle, Spunk
& Bite). As well as all those grammar humor books (Woe is I, Eats, Shites
& Leaves)